Noor Inayat Khan

Noor was born in Moscow in 1914 to an Indian father and an American mother. She began a career
as a children’s writer, but as World
War 2 broke out she joined the British
Special Operations Executive and supported
the Resistance in France. Noor’s actions saved
the lives of many people in Europe. Sadly, Noor was
captured by the Nazis and killed. Noor was awarded military honours by France and Britain – the Croix De Guerre and the
George Cross.

Photos of Noor Inayat Khan with Tributes after the war and from people today

This Memorial should have been erected years ago. Without people like Noor this country would have been a very different place.

-- Simon and Jill Muggleton, East Sussex

I am so glad you have launched this appeal and that a memorial will stand in beautiful Gordon Square to a brave, brave person.

-- Neil Bruce, London

She was indeed the bravest of the brave. Good luck with the project.

-- John Eades, London

I believe that it is important that this memorial is built, not just to honour the remarkable young woman, but hopefully to help mitigate against the increasing mistrust between the different religions and ethnic bodies in this country.

-- Peter May, West Sussex

Noor (Nora to us) and I were on the same wireless operator’s course in Edinburgh from December 1940 to 1941. Although she was unable to hold the Morse key properly because of severe chilblains, she persevered and passed out with the rest of us. She was a very brave woman and deserves this Memorial.

-- Irene Warner, friend of Noor in the WAAF (age 90, presently living in Taunton)

I see her very clearly as she was that first afternoon, sitting in front of me in that dingy little room, in a hard kitchen chair on the other side of a bare wooden table. Indeed of them all, and there were many, who did not return, I find myself constantly remembering her with a curious and very personal vividness which outshines the rest... the small, still features, the dark quiet eyes, the soft voice, and the fine spirit glowing in her.

-- Captain Selwyn Jepson, the SOE official who interviewed and recruited Noor

Nothing, neither her nationality, nor the traditions of her family, none of these obliged her to take her position in the war. However she chose it. It is our fight that she chose, that she pursued with an admirable, an invincible courage.

-- Madame de Gaulle-Anthonioz (niece of General Charles de Gaulle)

How grateful we are that there were heroines such as Noor serving during the War.